Kindness That Carries You Forward

SmileStory® helps cancer patients and caregivers in Northeastern Pennsylvania find moments of comfort, relief, and normalcy—one smile at a time.

Our Mission

SmileStory® believes hope is contagious, kindness is powerful, and even the smallest act of love can inspire comfort, strength, and joy—helping someone feel like themselves again, one smile at a time.

During treatment, families face overwhelming challenges that extend far beyond hospital walls: everyday burdens, the exhaustion of caregiving, or simply the desire to feel “normal” again—to share a meal, celebrate a moment, or enjoy a day without worry.

SmileStory® exists to meet those needs. Our mission is to help cancer patients and caregivers in Northeastern Pennsylvania find relief and moments of joy throughout their journey. We believe every person deserves to feel supported, valued, and cared for—especially when life feels heavy.

SmileStory’s Core Goals and Intentions

SmileStory helps ease the stress of daily living by offering support for non-medical expenses—like transportation, meals, or household costs—so patients and caregivers can focus on what matters most: healing, resting, and being together. 

Bring Relief to Everyday Life

Black shapes on a white background.

SmileStory provides simple but powerful gestures of love—care packages, notes of encouragement, or experiences that remind people they’re not alone. SmileStory also supports programs that foster emotional strength and hope during treatment and recovery. 

Nurture Emotional Well-Being

Black silhouette of a hand, reaching.

SmileStory recognizes that caregivers carry a quiet but heavy load. Through self-care opportunities and moments of appreciation, SmileStory helps them recharge and feel valued for all they do. 

Uplift and Care for Caregivers

Black shape, rounded at one end, points down and right against a white background.

Create Moments That Feel Like ‘Normal’

Whether it’s helping a family share a favorite meal, celebrating a milestone, or just giving someone a reason to smile, SmileStory aims to bring a sense of everyday joy and normalcy back into lives touched by cancer. 

Small black circle near a black diagonal shape on a white background.

SmileStory partners with local hospitals, social workers, and community organizations to ensure support reaches those who need it most—always guided by transparency, gratitude, and genuine human care. 

Black shape on a white background.

Build a Community of Hope

The Heart Behind SmileStory®

Our Story

SmileStory® was born from a simple yet powerful conviction shared by founders Ashley Javitz and Chris Bohinski: that even in life’s greatest challenges, kindness can be a source of light and hope.

This mission is deeply personal, shaped by their own caregiving experiences. Chris was the primary caregiver to his mother during her battle with uterine cancer, honoring the compassionate legacy of his father—a dedicated physician who also faced brain cancer. Ashley is a devoted caregiver to her aging nana, whose quiet strength and enduring love continue to guide the fund’s approach to compassion and care.

These experiences taught them something profound: while medicine treats the body, it’s often the small acts of love that heal the heart. SmileStory® exists to extend that love to others—offering comfort, relief, and support to cancer patients and caregivers who deserve to feel seen, supported, and uplifted.

Three people pose near a waterfall: woman in wheelchair, woman in dress, man in red hoodie.
Yellow star.
Black four-pointed star with radiating lines.

Request a SmileStory®

Contact Us

Purple starburst with four rays.

Support SmileStory®

Your generosity helps bring comfort, relief, and moments of joy to cancer patients and caregivers right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Every contribution directly supports families who need encouragement, care, and hope during difficult days. Donors through this portal will receive a charitable contribution letter from the Luzerne Foundation via mail